3/15

Bellevue College Nutrition Class Service Learning Project

Welcome Bellevue College Nutrition Students!

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Bellevue College Nutrition Class Service Learning Project

New Volunteer Orientation & Volunteer Shift

The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank (IFCB) serves an average of 400 households each week and would not be able to do so without the dedicated team of volunteers who come in to make it all happen. "Volunteer Power" drives the food bank 6 days a week, and ensures that we can provide high quality foods and excellent customer service to the families who shop with us.

The IFCB team offers you a warm welcome. If you like what you see during this shift, please volunteer again.

Volunteer shifts will be offered for Bellevue College Nutrition Class students on Thursdays from October 5th through November 16th. Each shift is designed for a group of four students. Our goal is to make sure that each shift is full. If you notice that you're the only person signed up on a particular day, please chose another day that is closer to max capacity. Unfilled shifts may be cancelled.

The shift will begin with a 30 minute new volunteer orientation and then the group will have approximately 1.5 hours of hands on service learning. If we multiply that time by four, that's six hours worth of work that has meaningful impact in the community.

**If you notice that a shift is full and you really need that day, email megan@issaquahfoodbank.org and we may be able to add a space or schedule you during a regular shift.**

New Volunteer Orientations Include:

A tour of the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank

A brief overview of how the food bank functions

Safety information and policy overview

Volunteer Tasks May Include:

Restocking the grocery store

Updating inventory records

Accepting and processing donations

Date checking foods

Sorting, washing and portioning produce

Portioning bulk foods

Sanitizing food surfaces, portioning tools and produce bins

Cleaning (not fun but 100% necessary)

General Safety Stuff: The IFCB staff strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive volunteer environment, and to prevent injuries . Some tasks may involve standing for extended periods of time or lifting (generally 30-60 lbs.). Please notify a staff member if you have any lifting restrictions or if you need assistance, special accommodations, alternate tasks or modified tasks.

Since some bulks foods that get portioned may include nuts or other potential allergens, please let IFCB staff members know if you have any food allergies that require particular caution so we know not to assign food portioning tasks.

Questions that you might be wondering:

Q. Where should I park?
A. Free public parking is available in the lot directly across the street from the food bank, on the other side of the green space dividing the two parking lots and by the community center. Free street parking is also available alongside our building. We kindly ask that volunteers avoid parking in the side ally (which we use for deliveries) or in parking spaces designated for Spa Chi.

Q. What should I wear?
A. IFCB is a "jeans and a t-shirt" sort of place. Please plan to wear something comfortable that you can move in and something that you don't mind getting dusty or dirty. It is strongly advised that you wear comfortable, closed toe shoes since the floors can be rather hard on feet and you'll want to protect your toes. It's a good idea to dress in layers since you may be moving around a lot.

Q. What should I bring?
A. All you need to bring is a positive attitude, an open mind and a desire to help. We generally provide water, tea, coffee and donuts/pastries. Please feel free to bring your own beverage or munchies if you would like to stop for a snack. A fridge and a microwave are both available for volunteer and staff use.